The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
Verg, who was supposed to be imprisoned by Nokia, was standing on a hill some distance away from Rain's house.
Why was he in a place like this?
He was supposed to have been captured, so how had he managed to escape without anyone noticing?
Verg had plenty of questions, but he decided to leave the mysteries for later.
Right now, escaping took priority.
With Mina captured and her rescue looking difficult, he would have to rethink the entire plan from scratch.
He needed to report the situation to Reez and Monica, so he began heading toward their distant hideout…
"Gah…!?"
A sudden, excruciating pain shot through his chest.
He slowly lowered his gaze and saw a human hand protruding from his chest.
"W-What… is this…?"
"Good work."
A voice came from behind him.
Ignoring the pain, Verg forcibly twisted his body and pulled himself free of the arm impaling him.
He then leaped a considerable distance away, putting some space between himself and whoever was behind him.
"You bastard…"
"Hmm? To think you survived that attack. Good grief, I must have grown rusty. In my younger days, I would have certainly finished off a demon of your caliber with a single blow."
Hair streaked with white.
A priestly robe predominantly white in color.
In one hand, a bloodstained hand; in the other, a sacred staff.
Altrius Greygom.
The man standing at the very top of the Church was there.
"Cough… When did you get behind me…?"
"Good grief, there's no need to glare at me like that. After all, I'm the one who rescued you from subspace."
"What did you say?"
"Well… Since you'll be making a sacrifice for my sake shortly, your end is inevitable regardless."
"What are you…?"
"The activation of the Zero-Type Prison requires a sacrifice. And a demon like you is the finest material I could possibly ask for."
"What the hell have you been talking about this whole time!?"
Ignoring the pain in his chest, Verg charged at Altrius.
He turned his shadow into blades and tried to tear Altrius's body to pieces… but he was too slow.
Every attack was evaded, and he was struck by a counterattack from the staff.
"Gah!"
"Good grief, what an energetic sacrifice. I suppose I'll have to weaken you a little more."
"Guaah!?"
As casually as if performing an everyday task, Altrius drove his staff through Verg's leg.
It pierced through flesh and bone alike.
A dull cracking sound mingled with a scream.
"That should do it. Now, shall we begin the ritual?"
"You… What the hell… are you… talking about…?"
"Hmm. Is it frightening to die without understanding anything? But there's no need to worry. You will become a noble sacrifice. You needn't concern yourself with the fact that your own companions sold you out."
"Sold me out…?"
"Oh? You hadn't realized? You and your companions, who came to Horizon, were sold out. They accepted my offer… What was her name again? Ah, yes, Reez. Through my agreement with her, you were designated as offerings to be sacrificed."
Verg was stunned.
He couldn't understand what Altrius was saying.
Or rather, he understood, but refused to accept it.
He had worked for the future of demons and for the sake of his companions.
He had done whatever was necessary.
This time, too, he had been working behind the scenes in this place to turn a human named Mina into a demon…
But had all of it been a lie?
Even worse, had he and his companions been included in Reez's plan without their knowledge, with their deaths already decided in advance?
"You can't be fucking serious…!!!"
"You should consider it an honor."
Altrius smiled.
As he looked at the despairing Verg, his expression seemed both delighted and sorrowful.
It was an expression hardly befitting a human… as he sneered mockingly.
"Through your sacrifice, Mina Lusage will become a Saint. Or perhaps… Well, never mind."
"You…!"
Verg tried to fight back, but every attempt was effortlessly shut down.
There was simply too great a difference in their levels.
Even though Altrius was human, his abilities were among the very best.
Even a group of ordinary demons would likely be unable to defeat him.
But that was only natural.
Altrius was the man at the very pinnacle of the Church.
He possessed not only political ability but also the combat prowess necessary to survive actual battles.
"Farewell. I will never forget your noble sacrifice."
Altrius struck Verg's chest with the staff in his hand.
As though that had served as the signal, Verg's movements came to a halt…
His body was enveloped in light and began to disappear.
And a few seconds later…
As though a chain reaction had been triggered, the entire city was enveloped in light.
The Zero-Type Prison was complete.
Everyone caught within this light would have their stamina and magical power drained until they eventually died of exhaustion.
Nor would they be able to escape outside.
"Now the preparations are complete. We shall make it appear as though the demons were responsible for the Zero-Type Prison, and then guide Mina into position. If we use her to break the barrier, the Church's tarnished reputation will be cleared. Its authority will be restored."
Altrius sneered.
"If Mina refuses to cooperate… then she, too, will become a noble sacrifice. She will offer up her life and break the barrier for the sake of the people. Ah, what a beautiful tale that would make."
In the end…
Altrius Greygom was a thoroughly despicable man who cared about nothing but the Church and himself.
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